Stationary hub cap cover



July 10, 1956 B. soLow 2,754,154

STATIONARY HUB CAP COVER Filed Nov. l, 1954 INVENTOR. /VJA/V//V 0.40 W

Mw/f. sam) United States Patent STATINA'R'YHUB .CAP -'.(OVER Benjamin Solow, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application November 1, V1954, 'Serial1N0.466,'035

l6 Claims. .(Cl. 3D1-1.08)

The present inventionrelatestof-afhubcap cover which is mounted on the hub cap of an automobile wheel or other vehicle wheel in such a manner that lit isretained Vin a stationary position -while the wheel lis rotating during the course of'travelof `the vehicle. This permits 'an 'inscription, name, monogram, design-or thelike carried-on the outer surface of the hub cap ycover to rbe'read by van Observer notwithstanding the movement -of -the vehicle.

An object of the `present invention is the provision :of a hub 'cap cover of the aforesaid type ofdurbleconstruction, which may be readily manufactured, and Whchma-y be mounted over -a conventional hu'b fcap without diiculty, and without requiring the use of fspecialtool's or equipment.

Another object of the present invention is'thezprovision of a hub cap cover of .the aforesaid typ'e Fin which .the symbol, design or inscription Vmay be 'changed 'atithe will ofthe user.

Further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the -following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, in whi'chsirn-ilar characters -of reference represent corresponding `parts in each of the-several views.

Figure 1 is a lfront elevational view fofan 'embodiment of the'presentinvention.

'Figure 2 is a back elevational View fof the embodiment of Figure l, with the hub :cap over 'which the cover sis mounted shown in phantom'line.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on .fline 3-31of Figure 1.

Figure 2l is a'sectional viewof anotherferri'b'odiment of the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 through 3, 10 designates 'a dome-shaped wheel -hub -cup of standard design priovided-on automotive vehicles.

The hub cap cover of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 11 includes a curved cover disc or plate 12 of sheet metal or the like, with a generally concavo-convex outer portion 13 and a dish-shaped or Well-shaped center portion 14. The radially-outermost part of outer portion 13 is crimped or beaded so that the free edge of the disc 12 is not exposed to View.

A series of slits or perforations 15 dening an annulus is provided in the outer portion 13, spaced somewhat from the outer edge of the dish-shaped center portion 14. A symbol, letter, design or monogram-carrying disc or plate 16, preferably of polished chrome sheet metal, is retained in position on curved disc 12 by having peripheral tabs 17, which mate with slits 15, inserted through slits 1S. The portion of tabs 17 in back of the disc 12 is offset, locking symbol-carrying plate 16 in position. The desired symbol-carrying plate 16 may be installed by the retail dealer, and a large and varied stock of such plates may be kept on hand.

A pair of bendable straps or bands 18, preferably of metal, is secured to the dish-shaped or well-shaped center portion 14 of disc 12 by means of centrally positioned bearing-eyelet or rivet 19. Straps 18 as shown 1n Figure Patented July 10, 1956 ICC i2 2 intersect 'at V'right angles to each other, being retained in this relationship 4by Welds kor lthe like in the region of overlap. 'Straps 18 vare preferably scaled or graduated, as fat 2'0, to permit 'proper central alignment of the hub cap cover `-11 foverthe rvehicular hub cap 10.

A'weig'ht'21, such as ame'ta'l rod or the like, is welded or 'otherwise secured "to Vthe 'back of disc 1'2, and maybe disposed in an axial plane perpendicular to vthe axial p l-ane of the pivot, with the center of the longitudinal axis ofthe weightlying on aline passing through the geometrical center of vdi'sc 12.

lSuiiicient clearance is provided in the opening in dishshaped center portion '14 through which eyelet 19 passes to permit disc 12 to freely pivot about eyelet 19.

The mounting and operation of the hub cap cover of the present invention'is as follows:

The hub cap cover 411 is clamped vover the vehicular hub ca p 10'by passing straps 158 Vover the rim edge of hub cap VV10 and friction fitting the hub cap 10 into its operative position on 'the vvehicular wheel. ln this position, straps 1'8 are 'anchored by 'hub cap 10. The graduations 20'on straps 18 permit accurate centering of the hub cap cover L11 over the vehicular hub cap 16.

jSince hub cap 'cover 1'1 yis free to rotate about eyelet 19, the action of gravity on Weight 21 Vserves to retain the hub cap cover l11 in aligned position with the weight 21 undermost, notwithstanding rotation of the wheel during the fmotionof-'the vehicle.

In the embodiment shown kin Figure 4, the rim 22 of fthe dish-shaped center portion 14n of disc 12a projects beyond the plane of outer portion 13a to form a locking seat for symbol-carrying plate 16a, which i's slipped over rim "22 and fric'tionally retained lin position. Symbolcarrying jplate '1"6'a Ycan be removed readily from disc 12a "by being pried therefrom `by means of a screwdriver, or

'.will.

Whil'efl'have illustrated and described the preferred ernb'odim'ents 'o'frny invention, it is 'to be understood that I do not lirrii't myself to 'the precise 'constructions herein disclosed and the right is Ireserved to all changes and modifications coming "within the 'scope of lthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what YI claim as new, and desire to secure by lUnited -States Letters Patent 1. A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a cover plate, a pivot in the cover plate at the center portion thereof with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, strap means carried on said pivot in back of said cover plate, said strap means constructed and arranged to be anchored by the hub cap of the vehicle, a weight iixedly secured to the cover plate, locking means adjacent the center of the cover plate for removably receiving a symbol-carrying disc on the front surface of said cover plate, and a symbolcarrying disc constructed and arranged to be operatively interlocked with said locking means and to be carried over the front surface of the center portion of the cover plate thereby covering the pivot.

2. A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a generally concavo-convex cover plate having a dish-shaped center portion, a pivot in the center of the dish-shaped center portion with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, a plurality of flexible straps, retained in spaced relationship to each other and carried on said pivot and juxtaposed to the concavo surface of the cover plate and the oor of the dish-shaped center portion, said straps having a graduated scale on the surface facing the cover plate whereby the cover plate may be retained centered above the hub cap of the vehicle with the straps anchored by the hub cap, a weight xedly secured on the concavo surface of the cover plate, said weight being disposed in an axial plane normal to the axial plane of the pivot, locking means adjacent the dish-shaped center portion of the cover plate for removably receiving a symbol-carrying disc, and a symbol-carrying disc constructed and arranged to be operatively interlocked with said locking means and to be carried over the convex portion of the cover plate covering the dish-shaped center portion and the pivot.

3. A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a generally concavo-convex cover plate having a dish-shaped center portion, a pivot in the center of the dish-shaped center portion with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, a plurality of exible straps, retained in spaced relationship to each other and carried on said pivot and juxtaposed to the concavo surface of the cover plate and the floor of the dish-shaped center portion, said straps being constructed and arranged to be anchored by the hub cap of the vehicle, a weight tixedly secured on the concavo surface of the cover plate, perforations in the cover plate adjacent its dish-shaped center portion, a symbol-carrying disc having anchoring projections adapted to be received in said perforations, whereby the body of said symbolcarrying disc may be operatively carried in front of the convex surface of said cover plate, spaced from the floor of the dish-shaped center portion.

4. A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a generally concavo-convex cover plate having a dish-shaped center portion, a pivot in the center of the dish-shaped center portion with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, a plurality of exible straps, retained in spaced relationship to each other and carried on said pivot and juxtaposed to the concavo surface of the cover plate and the oor of the dish-shaped center portion, said straps being constructed and arranged to be anchored by the hub cap of the vehicle, a weight fixedly secured on the concavo surface of the cover plate, the rim of said dish-shaped center portion projecting out of the plane of the convex surface and forming a frictional locking seat for a symbolcarrying disc, a symbol-carrying disc having an upwardly and inwardly projecting edge, said edge constructed and arranged to be removably mounted on said frictional locking seat.

A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a generally concavo-convex cover plate having a dish-shaped center portion, a pivot in the center of the dish-shaped center portion with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, a plurality of flexible straps, retained in spaced relationship to each other and carried on said pivot and juxtaposed to the concavo surface of the cover plate and the oor of the dish-shaped center portion, said straps having a graduated scale on the surface facing the cover plate whereby the cover plate may be retained centered above. the hub cap of the vehicle with the straps anchored by the hub cap, a weight tixedly secured on the concavo surface of the cover plate, said weight being disposed in an axial plane normal to the axial plane of the pivot, and so positioned that when the hub cap cover is operatively mounted on the hub cap, it does not engage the hub cap, the rim of said dish-shaped center portion projecting out of the plane of the convex surface and forming a frictional locking seat for a symbolcarrying disc, a symbol-carrying disc having an upwardly and inwardly projecting edge, said edge constructed and arranged to be removably mounted on said frictional locking seat, said symbol-carrying disc covering the dish-shaped center portion and the pivot when its edge is mounted on said frictional locking seat.

6. A non-rotatable hub cap cover for the hub cap of a vehicle including a generally concavo-convex cover plate having a dish-shaped center portion, a pivot in the center of the dishshaped center portion with its axis normal to the plane of the adjoining portion of the cover plate, a plurality of flexible straps, retained in spaced relationship to each other and carried on said pivot and juxtaposed to the concavo surface of the cover plate and the floor of the dish-shaped center portion, said straps having a graduated scale on the surface facing the cover plate whereby the cover plate may be retained centered above the hub cap of the vehicle with the straps anchored by the hub cap, a weight xedly secured on the concavo surface of the cover plate, said weight being disposed in an axial plane normal to the axial plane of the pivot, and so positioned that when the hub cap cover is operatively mounted on the hub cap, it does not engage the hub cap, a plurality of perforations in the cover plate adjacent the dish-shaped center portion, a symbol-carrying disc having a plurality of tabs mating with said perforations, said symbol-carrying disc covering the dish-shaped center portion and the pivot when its tabs are retained in said perforations in said cover plate.

Reutter Oct. 25, 1932 Ball et al Sept. 13, 1938 

